Scouring pad holder



May 1963 F. J. KRIEPS ETAI.

SCOURING PAD HOLDER Filed July 9, 1962 fnz/eniors 3,G%,0 SCQURHJG PADHQLDER Frank J. Krieps, Elmhurst, and Harley H. Mattheis, Des Plaines,111., assignors to Container Corporation of America, (Shier-ago, 111., acorporation of Delaware Filed duly 9, I962, Ser. No. 208,484 14 (llaims.(Cl. -209) he present invention relates to holders for cleaning andscouring materials and more particularly relates to a form of holder towhich such materials may be firmly attached and readily released.

An important object or" the invention is to provide an improved,relatively simple form of holder having opposed, normally open grippingjaws designed to close when the holder is pressed down upon any ofvarious types of pads formed of gauze, cotton, cloth, plastic, copper orsteel wool, whereby the jaw will be held in firm gripping relation tothe pad, but easily released when it is desired to discard a used padand replace it with a new one.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pad holder havingopposed gripping jaws hingedly mounted within a frame member formovement toward and away from the general plane of the pad which is tobe attached to the holder, and designed to grip the pad during theinward movement of the jaws in a direction away from the pad butreleasing the pad when the movement of the jaws is reversed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a twopiece pad holderwhich may readily be molded from plastic or other suitable material toform a pad supporting section combined with a hollow holding section,the pad supporting section comprising a frame on which gripping jaws aresupported on a pair of panels held within the frame, such panels beinghinged to each other adjacent the jaws and having their outer portionshinged to the frame, the panels being normally disposed out of alignmentin the open position of the jaws and movable past their aligned positiontoward the interior of the hollow holding section to an inner,non-aligned position to close the jaws and retain the panels in suchposition by a toggle action.

Additional and more specific objects and advantages of the inventionwill become apparent as the description proceeds.

In the drawings, illustrating a preferred embodiment of the inventionFIGURE 1 is a plan view of the holder;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional View taken along line 22 of FIGURE 1, showingthe gripping ja ws in closed or pad-gripping position;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along line 33 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view similar to FIGURE 3, showing the grippingjaws in open position;

FIGURE 5 is a bottom plan view showing the gripping jaws closed; and

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken on line 6-6 of FIGURE 1,showing the manner of forming the gripping jaw frame and the hollowframe-holding section so that the two parts may be secured together.

The pad holder, as herein disclosed, is formed of two sections ofplastic material, such as polypropylene or polyethylene, which may beseparately molded and secured together to provide a unitaryconstruction. One section is in the form of a hollow casing to provide ahandle grip and the other section is in the form of a relatively flatframe arranged to be fitted with a snap action within marginal portionsof the hollow casing. The frame section supports two centrally hingedpanels each carry- 3,699,065 Patented May 21, 1963 ing extended teeth toprovide cooperating jaws to grip a pad. The panels, in open position ofthe jaws, form a shallow angle below the plane of the frame. Pressurealong the hinge line of the panels will cause such panels first to movetoward a position where they are aligned with the plane of the fiatframe and afterward move to a non-aligned position above the frame,where they are held by a toggle action. In this position the teeth whichform the gripping jaws are brought into pad gripping position andretained until forcefully moved to their original position.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the pad holder ispreferably formed in two connected sections indicated as a whole at Iand 2. The section 1 is in the form of a hollow casing having verticallydisposed sides forming an oval hand-grip portion 3 terminating in aflaring, oval skirt 4 having what may be termed a downwardly directedflange part, indicated as a whole at 5, to provide marginal edgeportions to which the edges of section 2 are secured. As herein shown,the flange part 5 includes relatively narrow lengths 5a, 5a extendingpartway along the longer sides of the oval skirt portion, and widerlengths 5b, extending from the ends of flange parts 5a around the endsof the skirt portion. See FIG- URE '5. The top of the casing 1preferably is a flat panel 6 integrally joined to the oval wall of thevertical handgrip portion 3.

The section 2 of the holder is preferably formed as an open uniplanerframe having a contour conforming at least in part with the innercontour of the depending flanges 5a and 517 (see FIGURE 5), so that theframe may be receivedinside the flanges with its lower faceapproximately fiush with the lower faces of the flanges. Within theframe is secured the pad gripping member formed from two similar panels8 and 9 hinged together centrally of the frame along a hinge line orstrip 10. At their outer edges the panels are hinged to side bars 111and i the frame along respective hinge lines or strips 13 and 14.

By constructing the parts of the pad holder of suitable tough, resilientplastic material the hinge lines or strips Id, 13 and it may be providedby forming the connecting strips quite thin in the molding process. Thusthe panels 8 and 9, being of moderate thickness, may be only slightlybendable but the connecting strips are quite flexible due to theirreduced thickness. For purposes of the invention panels 8 and 9 may beconsidered relatively rigid as compared with the greater flexibility ofhinge strips 10, 13 and 14.

The panels 8 and 9 are preferably constructed in a downwardly bowedarrangement, as shown in FIGURE4, in which positions they assume ashallow angular form disposed below or outwardly of the frame 2. Thecombined dimension of the panels 8 and 9 and connecting hinge strip itwhich is readily apparent in FIGURE 4, exceeds the distance between thehinge lines of the panels. This combined dimension, however, is notsufficiently greater than the distance between the hinge lines toprevent the panels from being swungupwardly to the position shown inFIGURE 3. When the panels are swung upward it is necessary to apply ameasure of force causing some distortion in the hinge areas and somedegree of outward bulging of the sides'll and 12 of the frame.

When the panels have been swung past their middle position to upwardlyinclined positions, as shown in FIGURE 3, the distortion effectsdiminish and the panels remain in this position due to what may betermed a toggle effeet. When the panels are again forced to theiroriginal position the same distortion effects occur while the panelsarepassing through a plane aligned with the frame and upon returning totheir original position the distortion is released.

As shown in FIGURE 4, each panel has formed thereon a jaw sectioncomprising a group of spaced, downwardly projecting teeth indicated at15, and I16, 16 on panels 8 and 9 respectively. The teeth are staggeredin the two rows so that one set interfits with the other. See FIGURE 5.

The teeth are positioned so that their facing edges, see FIGURE 4, areapproximately in line with the edges of the thin hinge strip area 10,and such edges preferably extend normal to the general plane of theframe section 2 to facilitate penetration of the teeth into the pad tobe gripped.

The lateral edges of the teeth are preferably tapered as shown inFIGURES 2 and 5 and when the teeth swing into intermeshing relation, asbest shown in FIGURE 3, they reach an angle at which the inclined sidesof one set contact and lock against the inclined sides of the oppositeset.

In order to dock the frame section 2 firmly onto the hollow, recessedcasing section 1, portions of the flange parts 512 are under-cut toprovide overhanging edges 56, 5c. Appropriate edges of the section 2,indicated at 2a are leveled so as to fit beneath the overhanging edges50. Due to the resiliency of the two sections the frame edges mayreadily be snapped past the overhanging edges 50 to hold the framefirmly in place.

For the purpose of releasing the jaw teeth from an engaged pad avertically movable element 17 is disposed within the recessed casing 1.The lower end of this element is preferably Y-shaped to form two panelengaging parts 17a, 17a. See FIGURES 3 and 4. By moving the element 17downward from the position shown in FIG- URE 3 to that shown in FIGURE4, the hinged panels 8 and 9 can be moved from pad gripping position tothe release position.

The element 17 is preferably formed integrally with a displaceable part6a of the top panel 6. The part 6a is provided by forming a pair ofslits 6b, 6b in the top panel. Downward pressure centrally of the part6a will flex it downward, as shown in FIGURE 4, to move the panels toreleased position.

In order to engage the pad beyond the immediate area of the grippingjaws a plurality of pins 19, 19 are formed on the flanges 512.Additional pins 20, 20 are preferably formed in the skirt portion 4adjacent the flange parts 5a, 5a. These pins pass through apertures 21,21 formed in the sides 11 and 12 of the frame section and serve the dualpurpose of centering the frame and engaging a pad.

In the use of the pad holder it may simply be picked up by the oval,straight walled part 3 and pressed upon a pad, such as indicated at 22in FIGURE 2, while the jaws are in open position. Firm pressure on thepad causes the teeth first to penetrate the pad and then causes thepanels to flex upward. The teeth then swing toward each other and at thesame time engage the pad and draw the engaged portion upward, .thusfirmly securing the pad against the frame section 2 and the flangesurfaces of the recessed section 1. When it is desired to discard thepad the vertical wall portion 3 is held while pressure is applieddownward on the part 6a of panel 6. This causes the jaws to move to openposition and the pad will drop away or may easily be removed.

It is to be understood that reference to the parts of the holder asdisposed or movable vertically or horizontally is for convenience ofdescription and not in a limiting sense.

The vertical walled, oval part 3 of the holder may be suitably varied inshape, as desired, either for grasping by hand or for attachment of aspecial form of handle, without changing the principles of the operationof the holder.

While the present description sets forth a preferred form of theinvention, numerous changes may be made in the construction disclosedwithout departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is thereforedesired that the present disclosure be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, reference being had to the appendedclaims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope ofthe invention.

We claim:

1. A pad holder having (a) a recessed hand-grip section includingmarginal edge portions;

(b) an open frame formed of resilient material carried by such edgeportions;

(0) hingedly connected panels having their opposed edges hinged toopposite inner edge portions of the open frame, said panels having acombined effective dimension between their hinge connections to theframe greater than the distance between such hinge connections, wherebythe panels normally assume a shallow angular position outside the framein a direction away from the recessed section;

(d) said hinged panels being swingable toward the recessed section tobring such panels into positions inward of the frame; and

(e) jaw elements on each of the hinged panels located at the sides oftheir hinged connection;

(f) said jaw elements projecting outwardly in spaced relation when thepanels are in their outer position to admit between them portions of thematerial to be gripped, and said jaw elements being brought intomaterial gripping relation when the hinged panels are forced inwardly.

2. A pad holder (a) having an upstanding, recessed supporting sectionwith vertical Walls terminating in outwardly and downwardly flaredportions providing marginal supporting edges;

([1) a frame section secured to such marginal supporting edges;

(c) such frame including opposed side pieces defining an opening;

(d) a pair of relatively rigid, hingedly connected panels swingablymounted Within the frame opening and having their outer portions hingedrespectively to the opposed side pieces, the hinge connection betweenthe panels comprising a thin flexible element, the combined dimension ofthe panels and their hinged connection being slightly greater, measuredin a direction normal to their outer hinge lines, than the distancebetween such outer hinge lines, whereby the panels normally assume ashallow angular position away from the recessed supporting section andare capable of being flexed inwardly above the plane of the frame sidepieces where they are held by a toggle action; and

(e) spaced, outwardly projecting jaw elements on the respective panelsat the sides of their flexible connecting element, the free edges ofsaid jaw elements being swingable toward each other when the panels areswung inwardly to cause the jaw elements to grip material placed betweenthem.

3. A pad holder, as defined in claim 2;

(a) in which the jaw supporting panels are formed of plastic material;

(b) and the thin, flexible hinge element between the panels is integraltherewith.

4. A pad holder, as defined in claim 2;

(a) in which the jaw elements comprise a group of uniformly spaced teethon each panel;

(b) the teeth on one panel being olfset with respect to the teeth on theother panel whereby the groups of teeth will interfit when the panelsare swung inward.

5. A pad holder as defined in claim 4, in which the teeth are taperedfrom their base portions to pointed outer portions and the spacingbetween the two groups of teeth is sufficiently close to cause thetapered sides of the opposite groups to come into contact with eachother when the panels are swung inward to close the gripping jaws.

6. A pad holder as defined in claim 2, in which the frame and the jawsupporting panels carried thereby are integrally formed of plasticmaterial and the hinge connections between the panels and frame areprovided by portions of reduced thickness.

7. A pad holder as defined in claim 2, in which the frame section forthe jaw supporting panels is releasably carried by the recessedsupporting section.

8. A pad holder as defined in claim 2,

(a) in which the frame section and recessed supporting section areformed of resilient plastic material;

(b) opposite marginal supporting edges of the recessed section havingundercut grooved portions providing projecting edges;

() companion edge portions on the outer sides of the frame adapted tosnap past the projecting edges and fit within the undercut, groovedportions to hold the frame section firmly upon the recessed supportingsection.

9. A pad holder as defined in claim 8,

(a) in which the frame section is formed with small apertures;

(11) and the marginal supporting edge portions of the recessedsupporting section have pad-impaling pins thereon interfitting withinsuch apertures and serving additionally to center the frame in place onthe recessed supporting section.

10. A pad holder as defined in claim 2, in which a downwardly movablerelease element is disposed within the recessed supporting section, suchelement being arranged to apply pressure upon the connected edgeportions of the jaw supporting panels to swing the panels downward fromtheir pad holding position.

11. A pad holder as defined in claim 10;

(a) in which the recessed supporting section is formed from plasticmaterial;

(b) and include a top panel generally parallel with the panel supportingframe,

(c) such top panel being formed with a downwardly displaceable sectionarranged to bear upon the release element, whereby downward displacementof such displaceable section forces the release element against theconnected panel edge portions to swing the panel downward from padholding position.

12. A hand holder formed from a relatively resilient material forcleaning and polishing pads, comprising:

(a) a supporting section having a hand grip portion on one side thereof;

(b) a frame section detachably mounted on another side of the supportingsection; and

(c) a pair of cooperating, toothed jaw elements having outer portionshingedly attached to opposite sides of the frame section for movementtoward and away from said frame section and having inner portionshingedly attached to each other for movement into and out of said framesection in a toggle-like arrangement for releasably clamping a padtherebetween.

13. A hand holder formed from a relatively resilient material forcleaning and polishing pads, comprising:

(a) a supporting section having a hand grip portion on one side thereof;

(b) a frame section on another side of the supporting section; and

(c) a pair of cooperating toothed jaw elements having outer portionshingedly attached to opposite sides of the frame section for movementtoward and away from said frame section and having inner portionshingedly attached to each other for movement into and out of said framesection in a toggle-like arrangement for releasably clamping a padtherebetween.

14. A hand holder formed from a relatively resilient material forcleaning and polishing pads, comprising:

(a) a supporting section having a hand grip portion on one side thereof;and

(b) a pad retaining section on another side of the supporting section;

(0) said pad retaining section including a pair of cooperating toothedjaw element having outer portions hingedly attached to opposite sides ofsaid supporting section for movement toward and away from saidsupporting section and having inner portions hingedly attached to eachother for movement into and out of said supporting section in atoggleli-ke arrangement for releasably clamping a pad there between.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,124,476 Spiewak July 19, 1938 2,296,133 Wolfe Sept. 15, 1942 2,794,201Kutik June 4, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,064,981 France Dec. 30, 1953

14. A HAND HOLDER FORMED FROM A RELATIVELY RESILIENT MATERIAL FORCLEANING AND POLISHING PADS, COMPRISING: (A) A SUPPORTING SECTION HAVINGA HAND GRIP PORTION ON ONE SIDE THEREOF; AND (B) A PAD RETAINING SECTIONON ANOTHER SIDE OF THE SUPPORTING SECTION; (C) SAID PAD RETAININGSECTION INCLUDING A PAIR OF COOPERATING TOOTHED JAW ELEMENTS HAVINGOUTER PORTIONS HINGEDLY ATTACHED TO OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID SUPPORTINGSECTION FOR MOVEMENT TOWARD AND AWAY FROM SAID SUPPORTING SECTION ANDHAVING INNER PORTIONS HINGEDLY ATTACHED TO EACH OTHER FOR MOVEMENT INTOAND OUT OF SAID SUPPORTING SECTION IN A TOGGLELIKE ARRANGEMENT FORRELEASABLY CLAMPING A PAD THEREBETWEEN.